Professional Documents
Culture Documents
STRESS
Unit Standard 12355
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What is Stress?
Stress can be defined as the response to any pressures placed upon us by other people
and events, or those that we impose upon ourselves. Stress induces a natural response
that enables us to adapt and cope with life. The factors that create stress are called
stressors. Reactions to these stressors can be both physiological (physical) and
psychological (affecting the mind).
Not all stress is bad…everyday stress is necessary for growth and development. The
human nervous system is designed to cope with a certain degree of stress. However,
when the degree of stress exceeds the coping ability the health of the individual can
suffer…both physiological and psychological.
The opposite effect can happen as well. It has been said that if we have too little stress
in our lives that we will become unmotivated.
Signs and symptoms of stress will differ from individuals. These signs and symptoms
can be grouped physiological, psychological or behavioural.
Physiological (Physical)
1. Headache
2. Insomnia
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3. Tiredness
5. Heavy sweating
7. Constipation
16. Shakiness
Psychological (Emotional)
1. Inability to relax
7. Feeling on edge
8. Feeling scared
9. Feeling helpless
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10. Feeling overwhelmed
12. Depression
Behavioural
3. Crying
While some of the factors above can be directly related to stress, ultimately, they are
the result of hormonal or biochemical processes stimulated by the stress response.
Many factors influence an individual’s reaction to stress….personality, environment,
past experience, health status and financial situation. People deal with stress in
different ways and the capacity to deal with stress changes throughout your lifetime.
Those who have developed effective strategies to deal with day to day stressors are
likely to develop physical and psychological symptoms.
Stressors
The particular stressors that will cause difficulty in a particular instance, and the
effectiveness of an individual’s coping mechanism are different from situation to
situation and from person to person. Both of these are impossible to predict in
advance but may become predictable with experience of that individual and the
situation.
- A long physically demanding job will tire people more quickly than a
non one.
- A sustained mental effort is more fatiguing than a non one
2. The environment
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3. Mental and emotional well being, responsibilities, worries, conflict, social
interactions.
- The pressure of non work related events can be a direct cause of stress.
4. A lack of physical well being, illness, pain, sleep loss, inadequate nutrition
and exercise.
1. Internal
2. External
When we are unable to cope with stress we become rundown, tired and exhausted.
When people say they feel stressed, that is when their reaction has gone from positive
to negative. They are in DISTRESS. If we do not recognise this situation and deal
with it then we are at risk of an illness occurring.
Our reactions to our stressors are influenced by many things – our personality,
hereditary factors, our finances, previous personal experiences and our health. For
example a person who is generally negative and always anxious will have a different
reaction to a situation than someone who is happier and has a more positive outlook.
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Possible consequences of stress overload are:
2. Yelling at children
5. Stomach ulcers
6. Depression.
If you are suffering from the effects of stress it is important that you recognise it as
soon as possible and implement strategies to reduce to amount of stress that you are
under.
- One way to reduce stress is to change the cause. The most drastic way
is to change your environment (where you live and work). More often
than not this is not possible…therefore, you can think of changes to
those parts that are causing you the most stress.
- Eat a variety of fresh foods in a well balanced diet and you will not
become rundown due to a lack of nutrients. Make some time to ensure
that you exercise at least three times a week. Ensure that whatever
physical activity you choose that it is something that you enjoy doing.
- Ensure that you put aside time for yourself to do something that you
enjoy doing.
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7. Solve problems
- Identify what you do well and recognise your ability and qualities. Do
something nice for yourself at least once a week.
9. Practice relaxation
- Make a list of things to be done but make sure they are all achievable.
2. Do a relaxation programme
3. Do a course in meditation
If you are in a position to employ some of the techniques as stated above, as a result
the stress that you may be subjected too will decrease. The consequences of reducing
stress levels are as follows:
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2. Improved relationships with family and friends.
5. Improved health
Most of the techniques as stated above are techniques that involve mostly external
sources. As an individual you can employ some internal techniques in order to
minimize the stress in your life.
2. Accept the fact that you have a choice in whether you react or not to a
situation.
3. Change focus
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1. What is stress?
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2. Name five physical symptoms of potential stress overload. That is what are 5 physical
signs or symptoms that your body tells you, you are stressed out?
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3. Name four emotional symptoms of potential stress overload. [Emotional is how you
feel]
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5. Explain how stress can encourage you to do more [that is, be a motivator].
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7. Give three internal sources of stress. What you create within yourself [ie. your mind]
that causes you to be stressed? E.g. you have a competitive streak that can create
stress if you are not winning.
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8. Give seven external sources of stress. What happens in the outside world that can
affect your stress levels?
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11. Give five practical approaches for reducing unwanted stress at work, as a security
officer.
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12. What are four processes/approaches you can create within yourself [internal] that will
assist in reducing unwanted stress? E.g. using humour.
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